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Olympic gold medalist Lashawn Merritt teaches high schoolers in Yuma

KAWC | By Victor Calderón
Published February 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM MST
3-time Olympic gold medalist Lashawn Merritt, left, gives advice to Yuma high school track athletes during a clinic at Gila Ridge High School in Yuma on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Victor Calderón/KAWC
3-time Olympic gold medalist Lashawn Merritt, left, gives advice to Yuma high school track athletes during a clinic at Gila Ridge High School in Yuma on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.

High school track and field athletes from Yuma learned tips and advice from an Olympic gold medalist last weekend.

Lashawn Merritt, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, imparted lessons during a sprint masterclass last Saturday at Gila Ridge High School in Yuma.

"I feel like I have a heart space and a mission right now to pass it on to the next generation from the things I learned in the sport to the things I learned in life to any gem or pearl they can string along," Merritt told KAWC.

Merritt won gold in the 400 meters and the 4X400 relay in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China and in the 4X400 again in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The session with Merritt in Yuma was organized by Breakthrough Global.

Stay tuned to KAWC to hear from some high school track athletes who participated in the track clinic.
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News Olympicstrack and fieldGila Ridge High School
Victor Calderón
Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona since 2012. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, Calif. in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Yuma. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.
See stories by Victor Calderón
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